Dispatches: Wheels & Waves California With Baume & Mercier

Much has been made about the affinities that join performance cars to fine timepieces. And virtually every watch brand with a chronograph has entered the world of automobiles through an association or partnership of some kind. Far less has been said about watches and motorcycles though. But earlier this year, Baume & Mercier signaled a desire to bridge the worlds via a partnership with Indian Motorcycle Company, the oldest American motorcycle maker.

Over a series of three days in Cayucos, California, I attended Wheels & Waves, a meet-up of insiders and influencers from around the world's motorcycle community. The attendees included an assembly of collectors, customizers, racers, manufacturers, filmmakers, and photographers who drive the trends in contemporary biking. Baume & Mercier and Indian Motorcycles are both major supporters of Wheels & Waves California.

Wheels & Waves originally started in the French coastal community of Biarritz, just south of Bordeaux. As fate would have it, the California edition of this gathering happens in a place with a similar climate whose surrounding hills provide a stunning backdrop for riding. During Wheels & Waves, attendees go on organized rides through the countryside, compete in dirt track and drag races, and, of course, check out each other’s bikes. Connections are made, and projects are born. Even though I don’t ride myself, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to pack my camera and check out this scene from the vantage point of a '67 Ford Mustang.

Baume & Mercier awarded the winners of the races, which took place at the Santa Maria and Santa Margarita Raceways, with special edition versions of the recently launched Clifton Club line of sports watches. Stephen went hands-on with the Clifton Club, which bring's a stylish, affordably priced diver to the Baume & Mercier range. He enjoyed his time with this watch, and quite frankly, so did I when Baume & Mercier leant me one during our time in California. The Clifton Club is a solid sports watch that maintains a relatively slim profile at just 10.3 mm thick, which means that you can wear it with pretty much anything, including a jacket. If you opt for the version that comes on a strap, it'll set you back less than $2,000.

For more, visit Baume & Mercier.